Indicating mechanism for cash



Feb. 7,1939. F. FULLER INDICATING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS OriginalFiled June 26, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l mun,

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ATTORNEY Feb. 7,1939. F, FULLER 2,146,292

INDICATING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS Original Filed June 26, 1936 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Feb. 7,1939. F L FULLER 2,146,292

INDICATING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS Original Filed June 26, 1936 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTO R N EY Feb. 7,1939. F. L. FULLER INDICATINGMECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed June26 FIGQG.

, VENTOR ATTORNEY Feb. 7,1939. L FULLER 2,146,292

INDICATING MECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERS Original Filed June 26, 1936 5SheetsSheet' 5 FIG] m h r' INVENTOR g gg ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 7, 1939UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INDIOATING IHECHANISM FOR CASH REGISTERSFrederick L. Fuller, West Orange, N. J., assignor to InternationalBusiness Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork 5 Claims.

This application is a division of the parent application Serial No.87,333 filed June 26, 1936.

This invention relates to improvements in in-- dicating mechanisms forcash registers or the like and relates particularly to improvements inindicating mechanisms utilizing indicators of the flat tablet type.

It is the main object of the present invention to provide an indicatingmechanism utilizing tablets and an improved selecting mechanism forcausing the exhibition of tablets indicating the amounts entered in thecash register.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved form of indicating mechanism and indicator selecting mechanismand to arrange the groups of indicators within the machine and tooperate them in such a manner that the amount of the transaction, thetransaction, and the clerks initial will be rendered visible from bothsides of the machine, and the amounts exhibited in correctdenominational order.

Another object of. the present invention is to provide an improved meansfor causing the selection of related indicators in the two groups facingoppositely, such means comprising pairs of rack slides and a tube andshaft line for connecting the related pairs of slides for simultaneouselevation. Each of a related pair of slides is provided with a liftingfinger for the elevation of an indicator tablet in each group.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a common supportcomp-rising spaced plates which support the duplicate sets of indicatortablets and a novel and improved means for slidably carrying the sets ofindicator tablets.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement forcarrying the rack slides, and the tube and shaft line between the spacedsupport plates and to further provide means above the support plates tocarry a U- shaped indicator plate and within this indicator plate theelevated slides project but are concealed from view. The above describedmounting provides for unit construction and assembly.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent as the specification isunderstood and which is to be taken in connection with the drawings inwhich:-

Fig. 1 is a front View of the exterior of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2showing some of the operating connections for the indicating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a detail View in side elevation showing the preferred meansfor releasing previously elevated tablets.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. '7 and on anenlarged scale.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of one group of indicator tablets andthe supporting means therefor.

Fig. '7 is a view in front elevation of the indicating mechanism and istaken on the line 'I--'i of Fig. 2.

Manipulative entry control devices The machine includes threedenominational groups of amount keys, shown best in Fig. 1, the numeraldesignating the group for entering cents, numeral ll designating thegroup for entering dimes, and numeral l2 designating the group forentering dollars.

In addition to these keys there is a key [3 designated Cash, a key Itdesignated Paid out, a key l designated Recd on acct, a key 16designated No sale and a key ll designated Chg. This group of keyscomprises the transaction control keys.

For the selective entry of amounts according to a clerk's classificationthere is provided an A clerks key l8, and a B clerk's key IS.

The keys of the groups of amount keys are depressed according to theamount to be entered, the clerks keys according to which clerk entersthe amount, and the transaction keys according to the type oftransaction, as is well known and understood.

Each of the keys selected for operation is manually depressed prior toan operation of the machine which is efiected by a transverse operatingbar 20 and a key is locked in its depressed position by a constructionnow to be explained in detail for the group of dimes keys H, although itis to be understood that a similar construction is utilized for theother groups of keys.

The keys in each line from front to back are offset laterally as shownin Fig. 1 to provide for a convenient manual manipulation and to alsopermit the lateral spacing of their respective indicator selectingmembers, to be referred to in detail hereinafter.

The stem of each key passes through a related slot in a cover plate 24(Fig. 2) and is further guided by a slot in a U-shaped plate 25. Eachkey is held in its normal outward position by a spring 28 but when thekey is depressed inwardly a notch 29 thereof is caught by a detent plate39 01, the respective bank of keys. As shown in Fig. 2 each detent plateis carried by a pair of arms 3i pivotally mounted at It is to beunderstood that there is a detent plate for each group of keys.

Main Operating bar The main operating bar comprises a pair of arms 53loosely pivoted on a stationary rod 55 and between which arms is carriedoutside of the machine the bar 29, and within the machine bars 33 and99. When the bar 29 is rocked the arms 53 rock about the rod 55 andagainst the action of a return spring 56, connected to one of the arms53.

Key releasing devices It is, of course, necessary to release thedepressed keys after an operation of the machine and as best shown inFig. 2 each detent plate has secured thereto a bracket plate 34 to whichis pivoted at 36 a spring urged pawl 35. A coil spring 31 urges the pawl35 counterclockwise so that a curved portion 38 normally hooks under thebar 39. During the initial depression of the bar 39 the pawl 35 will berocked clockwise idly until the curved portion 38 is free of the bar 39whereupon the spring 31 will rock the pawl 35 counterclockwise but nowwith the curved portion 38 above the bar 39.

When the bar 39 has been fully depressed and then returned the bar 39will in its elevation strike the curved portion 38 elevating the pawl 35since the line of force acts through the center of the pivot 36. Thiswill cause the rocking of the detent plate 38 about its pivot 33disengaging the detent plate 38 from the notch 29 of the depressed keyreleasing it for its return to normal by its spring 28. The continuedelevation of the pawl 35 will by a straight edge 46 of the lattercoacting with a stationary rod 41 cause the pawl 35 to be rockedclockwise with the curved portion 38 now sliding to the left over thebar 38 until it is free of the bar. The spring 31 is now effective torock the pawl 35 to the normal position shown in Fig. 2.

Indicator selecting devices As best shown in Fig. 2 pivoted at 66 toeach key stem is a key lever 61 having a coupling notch 68 engageablewith the coupling bar 69 when the associated key is depressed. When thekey lever 61 is coupled to the bar 69 the depression of the operatingmember 29 will cause the key lever to be rocked and thus elevate anindicator tablet of an indicating mechanism now to be described.

Indicating mechanism The present machine is provided with an indicatingmechanism which will exhibit the amount of each transaction, the type oftransaction, and the clerk making the sale. This mechanism is best shownin Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The indicating mechanism for the most part iscarried by two side plates 280 and 28! (Fig. 5) which are attached tothe side frames of the machine. These side plates are connected togetherat the top by a cross plate of a bracket 282. The side plates 280 and28l carry transverse brackets 283 and 284.

The plates 289 and 28I carry various groups of indicators and Fig. 6will be referred to as an example of the construction of the indicatingmechanism.

The indicators are of the fiat tablet type and each comprises a tablet285 having an upper indicia bearing portion 286 and a lower slottedportion 281. Each indicator has an aperture 289 adapted to receive anindicator elevating member or finger 288. For each amount group thereis, in one set, of course, nine indicator tablets 285 and each tablethas a related elevating member or finger 288. These fingers arepreferably all the same length and to have the finger 288 cooperate withthe aperture 289 of the 1 tablet, said finger must project through theother eight tablets of the related set. To permit this and still preventthe finger 288 from elevating unwanted tablets the latter are providedwith slots, the slot 290 designating the slot in the 2 indicator tabletand other tablets so that the finger 288 can pass through and beelevated without raising undesired indicator tablets.

To confine the sets of tablets against the side plates 280 and 28! thereis provided as shown in Fig. 6 for one set two sets of headed screws 29!and 292 and which also guide the tablets in their elevation. When apreviously elevated tablet is released it will drop to normal positionby virtue of its own weight.

Considering, now the manner in which each group of amount keysselectively elevates the indicator tablets of the related set referencewill be made to the dollars bank of keys and the related set ofindicators 293 shown in Fig. 5 and visible from the front of themachine.

It will be recalled that the key lever 61 of a key is shifted to therear when the related key is depressed thereby moving a finger 294 (Fig.5) thereof beneath a stud 295 of the related indicator elevating rackslide of the dollars group of rack slides 296 (Fig. 7).

The rack slides 296 are slidably mounted at their lower ends by slots291 (Fig. 5) in the bracket plates 283 and 284 and at their upper endsproject through and are guided by slots in the cross plate of thebracket 282 and/or the overturned portions of the side plates 286 and28!. The finger or indicator elevating member 288 previously referred tocomprises a plate riveted at 298 to the related rack slide 296.

Obviously when, for example, the cam plate 61 related to the $9 key iselevated the rack slide designated 296$9 will be elevated and its fingerdesignated 2889 in Fig. 7 will be raised to the dotted line position(Fig. 5) raising the $9 indicator of the front set, as shown by dottedlines in Fig. 5.

Obviously there must be provided means to hold the tablet in elevatedposition and this is effected for all the rack slides of all groupswhich are elevated by key levers 61 by a spring-pressed bail 299 securedto a shaft 300. A cam edge 31 at the lower part of each rack slide 296cams the bail 299 rearwardly and ultimately will overlie the bail 299.When the key lever 61 is restored the rack slide will drop slightlyuntil the rack slide 296 rests on the bail 299, as is shown in Fig. 2,holding the tablet in elevated position where it can be read.

In a similar manner the group of rack slides 302 (Fig. 7) for the dimesbank will elevate the selected tablets of a dimes set of indicatorswhich are visible from the front of the machine and also the group ofrack slides 303p for the cents bank will elevate the selected tablets ofa cents set of indicators which are visible from the front of themachine.

It is, however, desirable to provide an indicator setting readable fromthe back of the machine and to this end there is provided three sets ofamount indicating tablets readable from the back of the machine and incorrect numerical order, providing what is known in the art ascommercial indication. The set of indicators for the cents group isdesignated by numeral 304 in Fig. 5 and from this it will be seen thatthe front and back sets are similar in construction.

Since the amount entered was $9 in the example assumed it is obviouslynecessary to select a $9'indicator of the back set of dollarsindicators. Referring to Figs. 5 and '7 it will be seen that the rackslide designated 296$9 is provided with rack teeth 305 meshing with apinion 3% attached to a shaft 301 which carries at the other end apinion 388 in mesh with rack teeth 339 of a rack slide designated296391;. This rack slide is also provided with a finger (not shown) butlike finger 288 (Fig. 5) except that it projects through the back set ofdollars indicators and will elevate the $9 indicator of the back set.Since the rack slide 296$9 is held elevated it Will hold the rack slide2968913 elevated to hold the indicator of the back set in elevatedposition.

A similar arrangement is provided between the remaining rack slides ofthe front group 296p of the dollars indicator at the front and the rackslides of the back group 2963 for the dollars indicators at the back, asshown in. Fig. '7. The tube connections are arranged in three sets, 318,3i I, 3l2 and comprises for each set; a shaft with pinions at each end;a tube overlying the shaft and provided with pinions at each end, and asecond tube overlying the first tube and carrying pinions at each end.Theseconnections are carried by the bracket plate 282.

Hence, the exhibition of the dollars amount will be effected for eachside of the machine. In Fig. 3 there is also shown the similarconnections carried by the bracket plate 282 between the rack slides3031: for the front set of cents indicators and the rack slides 3833 forthe back set of cents indicators, so that the cents amount can beexhibited on both sides of the machine and in proper numerical order.

The cross connections between the two sets of front and back indicatorsare only necessary for the cents and dollars. For the dimes the set ofrack slides 302 is not provided with any rack teeth but each carriesoppositely projecting fingers. 288 (see Figs. 3 and '7) one fingerprojecting through the front set of dimes indicators (Fig. '7) and theother finger through the back set (Fig. 3) of dimes indicators. Thiswill cause a pair of indicators representing the same tens amount toindicate similar amounts at the front and. back.

A somewhat similar tablet selecting arrangement described for the dimesindicators is provided for the transaction set of indicator elevatingslides 3 l3, and the B indicator slide 3 M (Fig. 7).

Attached to the plates 288 and 28l is U-shaped indicator plate 3 I 5carrying the characters shown in Fig. 7. The pair of B indicators willchange the normal clerks indication A to B on both sides of the machine.A pair of selected trans action indicators will change the normalindication Cash to indicate some other type of transaction on both sidesof the machine. The sign on the plate 3| 5. will only be concealed whenthe dollars indication is. necessary. The two zeros on the plate 3|5will fill in the zeros when only a dollars indicator is exhibited.

As best shown in Fig. 5 the various rack slides, cross connecting means,etc., are located between the plates 288 and 28| and concealed from viewwhile the projected rack slides pass within the U-shaped plate 3l5 andare also concealed from View.

It is necessary, of course, to release the indicator tablets previouslyelevated and this is effected by the following described means.

As best shown in Fig. 4 one arm 53 has a pin and slot connection 3 l 6to an extension 3 I! of an arm 3l8 loosely pivoted on the rod 4|.Pivoted at 3 I 9 to the arm 3H8 is an irregular shaped pawl 32!! andconnected between a stud 32l carried by a tail 322 of the pawl and astud attached to the arm 3 i 8 is a spring 323. In the normal positionof the parts the stud 32l rests upon the upper edge of a bracket 324 thespring 323 being above the pivot 319 of the pawl so that the pawl isrocked to cause a cut-out portion 325 to engage a stud 326 carried by alink 321. The stud 326 receives a slot formed in the end of the arm 3i8.

At the initial operation of the machine the arm 3H8 is rocked by the arm53 elevating the pawl 328 until a cam edge 328 thereof engages with apin 329 carried by a side arm 33!] of the bail 293. Further elevation ofthe arm 318 will cause thecam edge 328 to rock the bail 299counterclockwise (Fig. 4) to release the previously elevated indicators.Further elevation of arm 318 will cause the pawl 328 to pass by the bail299. When the arm 3l8 is restored a tail 33! of the pawl 323 will catchover the pin 329 but the pawl will merely rock idly in a clockwisedirection until it is. free of said pin, after which its pin 32! willengage with the bracket 324 and position the pawl 323 as shown in Fig.4.

Flash mechanism It is: desirable to conceal the indicators while theyare being elevated and for this purpose a flash mechanism is utilizedand which is well known in the art. To this end there is provided thelink 32'! (Figs. 4 and 7) at the left end, and a similar link 332 (Fig.'7) at the right end and which latter has a pin and slot connection tothe related arm 53 similar to that shown in Fig. 4 between the link 32'!and the arm 53. Each link 321 and 332 carries at its upper end aY-shaped piece 333 (Fig. 5) each Y-shaped piece having arms 334 and 335projecting through slots 336 (Fig. 6) in the plates 283 and 28!. Eachpair of arms 334 and 335, carries a flash indicator plate 331 and bothflash indicators pass up in front of all the sets of indicators, bothfront and back when the operating bar is depressed. Each indicator plate331 preferably carries the words Not registered and by this arrangementthe raised indicator tablets cannot be viewed until the flash indicatoris lowered.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to a single modification itwill be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changesin the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operationmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limitedonly as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cash register, a frame plate, a group of tablet indicators,guide means carried by said frame plate for slidably guiding said tabletindicators, and a corresponding number of individual tablet indicatorelevating slides provided with fingers each of which is engaged with arelated indicator and movable upwardly by the elevation of the relatedslide for raising the related indicator, the remaining tablet indicatorsbeing provided with slots through which said finger moves to preventtheir elevation.

2. In an indicating mechanism for a cash register or the like thecombination with an inverted U-shaped frame comprising a top portion andtwo side plates, a plurality of groups of vertically movable indicators,there being two groups for exhibiting the same character at oppositesides of the machine, means carried by both of said side plates forslidably carrying said groups of indicators, means for causing thesimultaneous elevation of the same character representing indicator intwo groups comprising pairs of indicator elevating rack slides slidablymounted between said side plates, means for interconnecting relatedpairs of rack slides for simultaneous movement comprising for each pairof rack slides a shaft carrying pinions meshing with a related pair ofrack slides, and means for carrying said interconnecting means by saidU-shaped frame and betweensaid side plates.

3. The combination with an inverted U-shaped frame plate including a topplate and spaced parallel side plates, a plurality of groups ofindicator tablets, means for carrying said groups of indicator tabletson opposite sides of said plate, vertically movable tablet elevatingdevices comprising pairs of rack slides, means comprising for each pairof rack slides a shaft carrying pinions meshing with a related pair ofrack slides for causing the simultaneous elevation of the same characterrepresenting tablet in two groups for front and rear indication, and aninverted U- shaped indicator plate on said top portion for receiving thevertically movable tablet elevating devices but concealed from view,said U-shaped plate carrying indicia which are normally exhibited butwhich are concealed by the elevated tablets.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with two groupsof vertically movable indicators, of a group of rack slides each forcausing the elevation of a selected indicator in one group, acorresponding number of supplemental rack slides of another group eachfor causing the elevation of a selected indicator in the other group ofindicators, and means for interconnecting said group of rack slides andsaid supplemental rack slides comprising for each rack slide of thefirst named group and a corresponding supplemental rack slide of theother group a shaft carrying pinions meshing with said rack slides forcausing the latter to elevate two indicators exhibiting the same valuein both groups.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a pluralityof depressible keys, of a group of vertically movable indicators, acommon operating member operated manually and independent of said keys,a plurality of indicator elevating devices pivoted to and shifted bysaid keys, and connecting means provided for each of said indicatorelevating devices for connecting the indicator elevating device shiftedby a related key with said common operating member whereby an operationof the latter rocks the indicator elevating device about its pivot toelevate the related indicator.

FREDERICK L. FULLER.

